About the song
“Rock Around the Clock,” a seminal rock and roll anthem, embodies the spirit and energy that defined an era. Written in 1952 by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (under the pseudonym “Jimmy De Knight”), the song initially saw a lesser-known rendition by Sonny Dae & His Knights in early 1954. However, it was the electrifying version by Bill Haley & His Comets later that year that catapulted the song to iconic status.
Recorded on April 12, 1954, at Decca Records’ studios in New York City’s Pythian Temple, “Rock Around the Clock” almost didn’t happen due to a ferry mishap that delayed the band’s arrival. Producer Milt Gabler, known for his work with jazz and blues legends, initially favored another track, “Thirteen Women (and Only One Man in Town),” as the A-side. Yet, at the end of the session, Haley and his band managed to squeeze in a recording of “Rock Around the Clock.”
The song’s composition follows a classic 12-bar blues structure but infused with a frenetic pace and rebellious spirit that resonated deeply with the youth of the 1950s. Its infectious beat and Haley’s energetic vocals quickly turned it into an anthem for a generation breaking away from post-war norms. The song’s impact was amplified when it was featured in the 1955 film “Blackboard Jungle,” propelling it to number one on both the U.S. and UK charts and firmly establishing it as a global phenomenon.
Despite its eventual success, the journey to recording “Rock Around the Clock” was fraught with challenges. Legal and contractual issues initially prevented Haley from recording the song himself, leading to its debut by Sonny Dae’s group. However, once Haley’s version hit the airwaves, its impact was undeniable, marking it as the first rock and roll track to top the pop charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Over the years, “Rock Around the Clock” has continued to be celebrated as a cultural milestone. Its inclusion in the National Recording Registry in 2018 underscores its enduring influence and significance. The song’s upbeat tempo and Haley’s charismatic delivery encapsulate the excitement and rebelliousness of early rock and roll, forever cementing its place in music history.
As a testament to its enduring popularity, “Rock Around the Clock” has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various media, ensuring its legacy persists well beyond its 1950s origins. Its place on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time further solidifies its status as a timeless classic that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
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Lyrics
One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock, rock
Five, six, seven o’clock, eight o’clock, rock
Nine, ten, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock, rock
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
Put your glad rags on and join me, hon’
We’ll have some fun when the clock strikes one
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’til broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight
When the clock strikes two, three and four
If the band slows down we’ll yell for more
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’til broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight
When the chimes ring five, six and seven
We’ll be right in seventh heaven
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’til broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight
When it’s eight, nine, ten, eleven too
I’ll be goin’ strong and so will you
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’til broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight
When the clock strikes twelve, we’ll cool off then
Start a rockin’ round the clock again
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’til broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight